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Litchfield could call in the dogs Drugs a problem at Litchfield High School; locker searches possible BY JOHN MCKENNA REPUBLICAN-AMERICAN

Litchfield Resident Trooper Jim Holm, center, comments during an organizational meeting of the Litchfield Prevention Council at the Litchfield Community Center on Monday. Litchfield First Selectman Leo Paul Jr., right, and council Chairman Brent Hawkins listen. John McKenna/RA

LITCHFIELD -- School and town officials, as well as parents, are prepared to tackle the issue of illicit drug use among students at Litchfield High School.

The call to action came Monday during an organizational meeting of the Litchfield Prevention Council at the Litchfield Community Center. All but defunct for several years, the council is being reactivated in part because drug use by high school students is a growing problem.

"There are a wide variety of drugs in the school," Superintendent Deborah S. Wheeler told a crowd of about 30 officials and parents.

After the meeting, Wheeler said the overdose death of former high school student Elizabeth (Libby) Zampaglione in New Hampshire in July is the primary reason officials decided to reactivate the prevention council.

According to an autopsy by the New Hampshire medical examiner, Zampaglione, who graduated in June, died from an overdose of a designer hallucinogenic drug.

"What happened in the summer prompted us to get together and talk about what we could do," Wheeler said of administrators. "We know drugs are in the high school and my hope is that what we're doing today is an impetus for moving ahead to do something about it."

The Board of Education has already expelled several students who were caught with drugs since the start of the school year.

Thomas Battiste, one of the parents who spoke, said the time to take action is now.

"I know there is marijuana and heroin in the high school, and we need to squash it," Battiste said. "This problem can be squashed in a hurry if it's a priority."

State police are prepared to use drug-sniffing dogs to search lockers and cars in the school parking lot, according to Resident Trooper Jim Holm, who said the action hasn't been carried out because of resistance from within the community.

"I'll do it several times a year and they won't know when I'm coming in," Holm said. "It would be a deterrent if they don't know when it's going to happen."

Rep. Craig A. Miner, R-Litchfield, saying he has grown frustrated by a lack of action, asked Wheeler if she could place the issue of drug use -- and a drug-sniffing dog search -- on the agenda for an upcoming Board of Education meeting.

"I admit I'm growing impatient," Miner said. "I'm willing to do whatever people want me to do, but this can't be kicked around for another two months or more. This community has a great capacity to take this on, but that won't really matter a year from now if we don't act."

Several of those at the meeting, including Miner, agreed to serve on an ad hoc committee that will work on a strategy with assistance from the Housatonic Valley Council Against Substance Abuse. First Selectman Leo Paul Jr., Board of Education member Betsy Fabbri and Selectman Diane Knox are among those who will form the committee.

"Conversation is critical," Miner said, adding that fighting the drug problem will be a long-term effort. "This is not going to be a sprint, but a marathon. Our policies are going to have to change, because if they don't, the ramifications will be devastating."

Just wondering where they draw the line on what drugs they're looking for - and whose.Is everyone and everything in the building searchable?

More people die of prescription pills than all illicit drugs combined. And no one has ever died of marijuana.

So if you're going to search everyone and everything in a building (not to mention a building they are compelled to attend) without specific probable cause, the compelling interest of the town should be as strong as it can be.

Go after the real killers.Benzos, opioids and stimulants.

They are just as or more likely to be found with the adults as with the children. "

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